Shane Roark

Nov

2008

What’s the point?

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It is, with a wee dram of reservation, that I write to you my first article for this website. I am not without subject to write, I am simply leery of anyone getting the point. I have been following this site, and few others, for some time now with curiosity about the opinions that are out there about our industry. I have been quite shocked at the intellectually bankrupt people who seem to be proclaimed as “Guardians of the Gate of Truth”. Most of the articles I have read have been more like advertisements from politicians running for office. The one resounding subject seems to be that the SGM industry is in trouble and how do we fix it. Well let’s delve into that a bit. First of all I want to let you know that my opinions on this matter are just that “opinions”. Much has been said about NQC, Singing News, Charts, Pros V Amateurs, and the direction of our industry in general. I attend the NQC board meetings and work directly with Singing news and their charts. I can say, FOR SURE, it is a mess! So many people look at these simple 1-2 fixes like separating pros and amateurs or changing the overall quality of our recordings. Or perhaps booting out the entertainers and going all out for ministry only. I can assure you, NO ONE in the box seats of the game CARE even a little bit about any of that. The people in this industry who hold the reigns simply don’t care! The Government that is SGM has become a Communist Regime.

OH MY! HOW CAN HE SAY THAT!?! Because it is true! There are a few in number who own all we try to become a part of and if you disagree with the way things are ran You Are Shown the Door! This industry is No Longer about quality or Christian ideology, it is about MONEY! If you can bring Money to the table you can get in any door you want to get in! As far as I am concerned more than half of the artists holding top charting positions and Time on the NQC stage, simply don’t deserve it. There are groups out there that aren’t much better than a decent church group and have been on the cover of magazines. This is the true decline of our Empire. We are over here arguing the finer points of pitch and stage presence, and NOBODY CARES! So what if the McKameys aren’t sonically pure? They sold 500,000 copies of “God on the Mountain” in less time than it took Ernie Hasse and the gang to sell “Get Away Jordan” the same amount! I am not a McKamey fan but they have something called Anointing! They no doubt also have a real relationship with GOD! Ernie isn’t anything more than any other Pitchy tenor, if you were to strip away the lights and dance moves! And let’s not forget the NOD of approval from the mighty GAITHER!

Let’s face it, nobody cares either way! Do we need entertainment (EHSS)? Sure we do. Do we need anointed sincere singing ( Mkmy )? You bet we do. Does any of that have anything to do with the decline of SGM? NO WAY! The arrogance of those of you out there who think you have a quick fix idea is staggering. I am so sick of the after concert, Waffle House, SGM repair sessions! Everybody has “A PLAN”. Some say, let’s educate the people coming up and keep them from getting ripped off. Noble gesture, as long as you’re not suggesting that the umbrella of protection only opens in your studio or record company. Those same people suggest that you need a REAL RECORD DEAL! WHAT? Does everyone honestly suggest that Daywind, Crossroads, Springhill etc.. Won’t RIP YOU OFF! HAHA! Of course they will. They will take your money, stick you on some farm label, and you get to go out and brag about your record deal. (That’s another article) the point is, NOBODY CARES! It doesn’t make any difference either way. Fact: nobody ever bought a CD because of the label. Fact: nobody ever bought a CD because of who the producer is. Fact: nobody cares who played guitar on the CD or what city it was recorded in! This stuff is irrelevant! What is relevant is, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? That’ right, I said YOU! You are the POWER and the INDUSTRY. Without all the YOUS out there we would have NO NQC, NO SINGING NEWS, NO CHARTS, No industry at all! We the people have the power to change the course of SGM! We have the power to choose if we are going to continue to accept things the way they are or change them. Some of you like it the way it is. Great, do nothing. Some of you want change for our industry, well CHANGE IT THEN! HOW? Well, that is to come (IN MY OPINION) in future articles. I look forward to addressing these, and many other issues. I look forward to your comments and opinions that will follow. This will be my platform in future articles and I am looking forward to it. I eagerly await to see if anyone will get “ The Point”.

God Bless,

Shane Roark
http://www.chapelvalleystudio.com

Reader Comments

Wow.....so much to comment on.

You may want to get your facts straight before you spout off your fixes for SG.

Ernie has not sold 500,000 of anything. The gold record was for video....hence 50,000 copies or more.

Next time try and hide your bitterness a little better.... More people might listen.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/02/2008

Observant Boy,

Thank you soo much for your correction. That was in fact a mis on my part. However that makes my point even more illuminating. The fact that so much HOOPLA was centered around Ernie and his GOLD record for 50,000 copies, and the suggestions that people have made over the years that The McKameys have no place in SGM proves my point. The public should decide these things.

And please do not misunderstand my BOLDNESS for BITTERNESS. I am doing VERY WELL in this industry.
In fact my business is SOARING! My issues with SGM is not the Music, But the political binds that have been placed on so many of our people. I love SGM, but I do NOT love what it has come to mean.

And in the future please do not assume that my opinions are in any way a FIX. It is my intention to share just a simple OPINION. Thats all. My opinions about what is wrong with our industry are not intended to even be taken as suggestions, we have enough of that now. I will not HIDE my opinion for anyone. But I do not suggest that I have the answer. Just an opinion. And as I will refer in coming articles, will anyone get the point? Or will they simply argue the facts and ignore the truth. That truth is, WE HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH SGM.

There is another BLOG site which simply argues the facts and ignores the points. I will not mention them here or ever. It is full of idiots who think they are doing some good by fighting over who is wrong or right. WHO CARES? What we need is a new, fresh angle. A breath of NEW life, if you will. We need NOT tarry on the shackles that have been placed by this arrogant and misled path we are on. Lets press on beyond what we have now. And perhaps we can rekindle SGM to something GLORIOUS and well respected, NOT the joke it has become to so many.

SHANE ROARK
P.S. Do really think anyone out there WANTS to listen? If so, it will shock me.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/02/2008

Is any one's success in SG music dependent on the so-called "Communist Regime"? If so, it is because the artists in the industry are so stary-eyed toward these people that it impairs their judgment. Everyone thinks it's so great to be on a label or be charted, but those things are just glitz and glamour and are of little or no value. Why not just become great singers and musicians, make music, maybe put it on a CD and find people who will listen to you. Enough of the music business!

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

- Galatians 5:25.

Visit My Website

Commented by Keith Prater On 11/03/2008

Keith,

AWESOME!! I never thought anyone would show up so early with a BRAIN!
Thats it exactly! Regardless of what we try to accomplish, it MUST start with a call to something higher and better than charts or labels!
It would be great if everyone got on the same page with the same purpose ( Which I think Keith is suggesting here ) but in the meantime, lets try to repair what we have and use it to be GREAT for GOD!
Keith my friend, YOU GOT THE POINT!!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/03/2008

Hey Keith great start, looking forward to future articles.

Commented by CanaMoly On 11/03/2008

OOPS I meant Steve not Keith had a little brain slip there LOL

Commented by CanaMoly On 11/03/2008

OK Shane I am really embarrassed now this multitasking is getting too much for us old guys LOL again

Commented by CanaMoly On 11/03/2008

SGM has ALWAYS been about the music. It is now, and it will be as long as there is SGM. What the NQC or the SGMA, or whoever.... does or doesn't do won't change that. I feel that the groups (and soloists) that are out there every weekend are keeping SG alive as much or more than the pros are, just because there are more of us and we can come for less $ and all that, so more people see us.

Commented by bludline On 11/04/2008

I agree with shane on most all parts. He is 100% correct on the politics. I have been singing over 30 years with 10 of those with the Kingsmen yet I cannot break the political barricade. So my inclination is to continue to do what is right. Have a good group that doesn't mind entertaining along with ministering and letting the people pick and choose what they want. I guess the bottom line is if you do not want to help someone than just do not hinder their efforts.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/04/2008

Ed, that is JUST what I was trying to say! lol

Commented by bludline On 11/04/2008

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